Vote for Merle Nicholds

Here are just some of the reasons:

Taxes
Residents of Kanata pay 3% less to the City of Kanata in 1997 than they did when Merle became Mayor in 1991. The sewer levy on the water bill has been cut almost in half. Expenditures at City Hall have stayed flat in spite of inflation as well as phenomenal growth. The city also absorbed a loss of $1.3m in provincial grants. These savings were a result of Merles strong leadership, business sense and toughness. Layers of bureaucracy at City Hall have been eliminated and we now have a leaner, flatter organization. Three senior positions, eliminated in 1996, save taxpayers $250,000.

Town Centre
Merle recently negotiated to purchase Town Centre lands. Over time, we can recoup our entire investment of $1.5m. The City has already received an unsolicited offer of purchase for all of the surplus acres for more per acre than the City paid. Merle has put us in a position to dictate what we want for the heart of our city at a cost that will be negligible. With exciting plans for a regional shopping centre now on the table, the opportunity to build our Main Street according to our community vision is on the horizon. The Centrum mall is not part of that Town Centre vision but it is bringing the retail investor interest and people to our area that is needed to attract a high quality regional shopping centre.

Municipal Restructuring
Merle has shown leadership in chairing the Forum of Mayors dealing with Restructuring the recent restructuring proposed by the Province. The megacity proposal (involving a merger of Kanata and other municipalities with Ottawa) would have gone ahead if not for Merle. Our mayor helped achieve unanimous region-wide consensus of the 12 municipalities.

With determination and strength, she acted quickly to achieve the consensus before the change could be imposed. No other area in Ontario has achieved that. Even Metro Toronto saw the unwanted megacity proposal roll over them.

Merle Nicholds Position:
Merle has fought hard against unwanted change being imposed upon our community. Merle believes that Kanata should remain a separate and distinct city. She has seen no evidence that amalgamation with another municipality would offer any clear benefit to Kanata. However, a region wide process for local government reform has now begun. It could result in a proposal for significant change to Kanata. Merle is committed to giving all Kanata residents the opportunity to vote on any proposed change to local government. She is committed to fight for what we want for our Community.

Merles Commitment to the Community:
"Merle has the right personal and community values. She has vision, judgment, leadership capabilities, and the municipal and management experience to deal with this most important issue regarding Kanatas future. I place my trust in Merle!"
    John Mlacak, former Reeve of March Township (now part of the City of Kanata)

"Merle Nicholds busy day is never too busy to show support for seniors and work to make this community a safer place."

    Bill Morgan, past president of Golden Era Seniors Organization, member of the Kanata Safety Committee

"Merle Nicholds knows that the Kanata of tomorrow depends on the youth of today. The Youth Advisory committee is a powerful voice for Kanatas young people, an initiative she implemented."

    Nikhil Shroff, Computer Engineering, University of Waterloo, past member of the Youth Advisory Committee

Outstanding Economic Development:
The verdict is in on Merles record on business development in Kanata. Merle has facilitated the positive, supportive environment that fosters new businesses as well as growth in existing businesses. For example, according to Larry OBrien, president of Calian Technology and 1997 Businessman of the Year (Ottawa Board of Trade):
    "Merle Nicholds has shown initiative, understanding and leadership in creating a positive climate for business in Kanata."

Critical time for Proven Leadership:
Over the next four years, Kanata will experience unprecedented growth. It is going to require strong, strategic management to ensure that this rapid growth develops in the direction that we want as a community. The decisions that are made over the next three years could change our community forever. During this critical time for our City, it is important to have an experienced leader like Merle Nicholds. According to Tom Flood, Kanata City Councillor, Katimavik:
    "Merle has demonstrated by example that she is among the areas most respected municipal leaders. she is committed to her community of Kanata and its values. She has a clear vision of where Kanata should go in the future."

On November 10, Vote Nicholds

A Strong Vote for Kanata

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